No Douglas Murray tonight for Sharks as Colin White takes his place against Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The big news: No Douglas Murray tonight. Coach Todd McLellan ruled out the defenseman from the pivotal game against the Phoenix Coyotes. Veteran Colin White will take his place.

Murray said he was hurt early in the 3-1 loss to Anaheim Wednesday night, and he clearly was laboring on the ice throughout the first period. He didn’t play after that with what the Sharks are calling a lower-body injury.

When he talked to the media this morning, Murray sounded pessimistic about playing. But he also didn’t want to rule himself out.

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“You never know how things work out throughout the day after treatments and stuff,” he said. “A couple years ago I couldn’t walk on my foot and had no plans of playing. But I got treatment all day and took a shot, and then I felt better right around game time. When it’s this borderline, you never take yourself out until you really know.”

But McLellan said he does know. He’ll sit Murray tonight.

“This time of the year, if your leg is only half cut off, you’re going to want to play,” McLellan said. “That’s what competitive guys want to do. They look for a way to stay in the game, not get out of the game. As an organization, you’re looking for guys who are begging to stay in the lineup. But you have to balance the injury and the ability to play and the negative effect it might have on your team. I can tell you that Dougie Murray won’t be saying, ‘Hey I don’t feel real good.’ But some nights he just can’t play.”

So, this is another opportunity for White, a first-year Shark who clearly hasn’t had the sort of impact that he had hoped in San Jose. He has four points and 19 penalty minutes in 49 games. He has only played once in the last 10 games.

“Everybody wants to be in,” White said. “That’s just the competitive nature in all of us. Every night is fun this time of year because every shift matters so much. Each game is the most important of the year. I’m not going to change anything. I’m just going to play my game and hopefully help the team.”

McLellan wouldn’t commit to any other lineup changes. But it’s clear he liked what TJ Galiardi brought to the ice Wednesday in his first night back after missing six games with a lower-body injury.

“TJ gave us some energy on that line,” McLellan said of Galiardi playing with Torrey Mitchell and Dominic Moore. “We’ll see how he’s feeling. If he can go, then we’ll find a spot for him because we can use that energy.”

*** The Sharks will be facing a rested Coyotes team. Phoenix hasn’t played since Sunday. Captain Shane Doan will be back after serving a three-game suspension for elbowing Dallas’ Jamie Benn. Also, forward Radim Vrbata and defenseman Adrian Aucoin are expected back from injuries.

In other words, the Sharks should have their hands full.

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McLellan said one key will be getting off to a good start.

“We have to be very conscious of what we do in the first 10 or 15 minutes of the game,” he said. “They’re a much different team when they play with the lead. When they’re playing from behind, they have to open up, and that’s not a strength of theirs. Their strength is to play five tight, get the lead and rely on goaltending and defensive play. Teams that have success against them find a way to get the lead and force them to open up a little bit.”

McLellan again noted that the Sharks were “missing guys” in the Anaheim loss, and how that can’t happen again tonight.

“At this time of year, you can’t miss bodies,” he said. “You have jerseys and you have bodies wearing jerseys. But if that’s all they are, you’re going to be short. We had a couple of key people who I felt could have given us more and produced more.”

I asked specifically about Patrick Marleau, who had one shot and was a minus-1 against the Ducks.

“I’m not going to name names,” McLellan responded.

*** Finally, the Sharks basically are battling Pacific Division rivals Dallas, Los Angeles and Phoenix for three playoff spots. But it’s a different kind of pressure on each team. For instance, Dallas being in the playoff hunt is a pleasant surprise. Not many expected that. But the Sharks struggling just to make the playoffs is a shock around the league.

“There’s a difference in the mental approach of teams,” McLellan agreed. “Some teams weren’t expected to get there and are pushing the envelope. They’re excited. We have that exact same opportunity, only that we were expected to excel and we’ve found ourselves in that lower mix. But I think we’re through that now. That was a two-weeks-ago thing. I think we’ve dealt with the mental part of it.”

Added McLellan: “The really elite players and elite teams thrive in these situations. And we’ve done it before. We’ve been through first rounds. We’ve been through second rounds. There’s no more pressure than playing at home in Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings. We’ve responded. If we take that same approach, we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

Not promoting any product. The t-shirts only say “DW Must Go”, no other advertising for any product or service. These shirts where produced with my money and intented for distribution for free to anyone who shares my opinion. The “DW Must Go” slogan is strictly my opinion, one that I have been stating for the last 3 years. And that opinion seems to be shared with many others on this blog.

MLBSF

Oscarthedog says:
March 30th, 2012 at 12:55 pm

Joe Thornton’s canned interview after the game made me sick. It’s the same damn thing loss after loss. Have a little passion. Beat the teams you’re supposed. Even if it’s phony act like you’re a little angry. Make the fans know that you care somewhat like they do…just once.
———-

“That’s sports” !!

The happiest person today I bet was Patrick Marleau who rolled out of bed at noon knowing he didn’t have to sweat trying to break out of his playoff chances team crippling so-called slump.

Some people call it a slump. I call it same ‘ol, same ‘ol.

With a lock-out most likely coming next season, at least the Sharks are going to have some extra time to re-group.

GDub

The heart of what Ratto was saying is right, although his delivery often gets people riled up. Drew for one obviously. Drew is a tremendous homer but I like him. I think he is passionate but he does make excuses for the Sharks (obvious why he would).

I agree with a few posts above who point out that the season is in jeopardy, not because they aren’t playing well right now, but because of the nights they mailed it in weeks and weeks ago. Now you are in a position to have to win four games and anything can happen on any given night. I thought we played well last night (within TMac’s system that is, which I’m not convinced the players believe in anymore) but we were beat. That is hockey.

I think Ratto was just stating the obvious. The old “they are what they are”. Basically saying that maybe we should stop feeling dissapointed and accept the fact that they aren’t a playoff caliber team. My only hesitancy to buy into this, is that I think the Sharks have the TALENT to be a playoff caliber team (even a cup contender). However, call it the leadership, the coaching, the systems…whatever it is…but the TEAM itself cannot equal the sum of its parts. I think that’s been the problem all year and I’m at the point that I can only blame TMac.

I think it is a shame that a handful of lazy performances over the last few weeks (completely differentiating them from straight up defeat as a part of a highly competative league in the sport of hockey) are coming full circle now. I think it is a shame that they are hustling, playing with heart consistently now, but only so late they’ve left the qualifications for the playoffs in the hands of “hockey happens”.

Four games left. Basically we are down 3-1 (maybe even 3-0) in our first playoff series. If the Sharks can pull it off, we might actually bring momentum into the PO’s. If they don’t, while it may no longer be a surprise, I’m going to be heartbroken if this team misses the post season entirely.

Section 219

#449, NoCup. First, I’d like one of those T-shirts. Years ago I walked around the arena carrying a sign that read: “Lombardi Must Go.” I took a lot of flack for it, but once ol’ Deano was gone, the Sharks went on quite a run and became a much better team.

Just as DW built on what Lombardi started, it’s time for a new GM to build on what DW built (or dismantled depending on your view point). With the right GM — such as Florida’s Dale Tallon — the Sharks could make the jump to the next level.

As for DW focusing on making $, you got that right too. The Sharks have an internal salary cap that is less than the amount allowed by the NHL. So in essence, they are putting $ for ownership before putting players on the ice who can win a Cup. Nuff said.

Doug H

I STILL find it funny people actually watch post game interviews.

if you ran a company, would your public relations dept tell everyone how you evaded taxes or shouldnt have let the defect in your product stand but you didnt think youd get caught?

no…youd present yourselves in the best way possible. even if its not the truth.

im surprised at this lot of all people haha.

Section 219

GDub, I think if the Sharks do win 4 in a row, or go 3-1 and still make the playoffs, I’m afraid the opposite will happen. Rather than have momentum going into the playoffs, they will more than likely be burnt out from the late season push to make the playoffs.

The way this team has played over the past year or so, if they do make the playoffs they’ll probably ‘take their foot of the gas’ for the first few games in Round 1, and end up getting bounced. I hope I’m wrong, but that’s what this team has showed to date.

Hockeynut

There were two plays last night that kind of typified the whole season. It was when the score was still 1-0 and the Sharks were pressing. The puck came out of the Coyotes zone and the Sharks defense sent it back in. One Shark (Thornton) went in on the forecheck and forced a turnover which popped out on the opposite side of the ice from behind the net, had the other forechecker been in the zone it would have been an easy chance on goal with no one near him, BUT the other forechecker was barely over the blueline and skating like he was out at the rink in the park with his kids. No urgency, no hustle, and no one willing to make the extra effort.

The other play was right after the Coyotes scored on the power play and the Sharks got their chance with the man advantage. The Sharks tried twice to pull the “Thornton behind the net passes to someone in front” play (both times the Coyote player was in perfect position to block or intercept the pass having seen the Sharks trying the same play 100 times in the previous games they faced them) and then the “cross ice pass through the box to the pinching defenseman back door play (which again, Phoenix and the entire league has seen them try to pull off 100 times and naturally Phoenix was able to break up the pass) The Sharks are too predictable! Everyone knows their “moves” and knows their “plays” The coaching staff is unable or unwilling to adjust. That’s how it’s been all season.

I also find it intersting that the 2 of the players you mentioned, Nichols an dWhite, where picked up by cup contending teams. White with Detroit and Nichol with St Louis. Nichols made everyone around him better, and it seemed that he was well liked in the locker room. Same goes for McGinn. At some point, you have to believe that the players get tired of all the new faces on a personal level. I know, this is a business, but the players are human, and humans generally do not like their friends being shipped out out or let go. especially when they are seen as an integral part of the fabric of the organization.

Notice how poorly cooch has played since McGinn was traded. Coincedence? Maybe. Maybe not. Also, there was something about Mitchy and Seto. When they both where in the line up, both seemed to play better. Not saying you build your team around these relationships, but care needs to be given when trading a player with regard to the pyscholoical effects on his teammates.

Also, I wonder how the sign and trade of Seto effected the current players. It was a cold thing to do, sign Seto for a home town discount, then trade him a away. I know that if I was a shark, I would not trust DW as far as I could throw him underwater.

Johnny San Jose

Iafrate # 313 – “relentlessly attack”??? Really? Not sure I’ve done that before but if you say so.

“Blind loyalty”? “Wrath and bullying”?

Are you sure you’ve got the right guy?

I have to record a lot of the games due to my coaching duties for my children’s sporting activities. My son had a baseball game last night. He pitched and did very well, thank you for asking. He also hit a couple of rockets and stole a few bags. Quite the speedy kid.

So… after the game, I spent some time with my wife after putting the kids to be and watched Survivor. I was a bit tired so I went to bed. I came into work today and tried to close out the quarter on a high note. Last day of the quarter, you know… so I haven’t had a chance to come in here and read all of the comments.

Not really surprised at all by what I read. I saw you called me out so I thought I’d remind you of my stance on this team.

I think I’ve been pretty clear all season that most of the Sharks outside of Vlasic haven’t been good enough.

I know you as being one of the more critical observers/posters of the Sharks. That’s okay… you usually are civil enough to have a conversation with unlike some of the newcomers over the last season or two.

I prefer to take a positive look (while still acknowledging the faults) at this team.

NoCupWithDW

@432

“When you’ve got Clowe and Boyle routinely dropping blatant statements about a lack of effort to the media, all but naming names, then I suspect a number of guys have a real serious problem with some of their teammates.”

Ed, I personally believe this is the responsability of the players core leaders to resovle internally. A coach can not demand players get along with other players. He can bench those “non-participants”. Yet Tmac seems unwilling to bench the non-participants for some reason. Sort of like he keeps playing White over Vandy. No one understand his logic.

slappy

NoCup@460
“It was a cold thing to do, sign Seto for a home town discount, then trade him a away”

That was really really nasty! I was shocked and embarressed for the org and Im just a fan. I could only imagine how the Sharks players felt. Trading Seto is one thing but to take advantage of Setos loyalty to the org and then trading him a few days later when the ink on the contract had not fully dried was clearly a bad reflection on the FO.

Clemenza

Good post, JSJ.

You actually represent the majority of the fans on these boards.

There just happens to unfortunately be about 5-6 blowhards who feel that spamming the comments section with their constant whining & insults are vindication of their feelings….

They know who they are & their constant bitching does nothing to help the team.

With fans like those, who needs rivals?

Chompov

New Year, Same old Sharks!

slappy

Clemenza@464

Like Iafrate said earlier, you’re wearing your Elf pants too tight.

Red Line

Slappy@444

In my view, he wasn’t taking Ratto’s side as that implied he was making a decision based upon the arguements. Hedican has had that position most of the year and has noted it on multiple occassions, most memorable for me near the trade deadline. I guess that is a fine distinction, but that’s what I was saying.

In this case, I am not evening saying Ratto was wrong. I just didn’t think he did a very even job of making his arguement. Neither did Remenda. Both of them had way to much bluster. Hedican, i think, did make his point well.

Not that any of that makes any difference in the end i guess. At this point, whether this team is a playoff team or not is not upto the insiders or the commentators, the GM or even the fans. It is up to the players on the team and the coaches. I for one hope they find it within themselves. I think they can. Hopefully they do too.

slappy

Not Again@344

Great post!

slappy

Red Line@467
I like listening to Hedican’s post game comments so I have watched him about 75% of the games this season. I dont recall hearing him say anything so point blank negative as he did last night. Thats why imo Hedican clearly supported Ratto over Drew. Drew tried to twist what Ratto said and then what really irritated me was Drew trying to dismiss Ratto but pulling “insider” rank. Drew is a paid Sharks FO mouth. Hecoached the Sharks briefly eons ago and he coached a Cdn college team many eons ago. Drew is now a broadcaster “journalist” – just like Ratto is. No different. I think Hedican probably found Drew’s approach as disagreeable as I did, as many WTC posters did. Drew was trying to erode Ratto’s observations by pulling out his so-called coaching fraternity membership and Hedican made it clear that he was not having anything of that nonsense. Hedican made no effort to placate Drew or support him at all. By coming out with his disasterous prediction about the Sharks one and done PO chances, imo he built on what Ratto said, not on what Drew said.

Ed

@ 461-

I never said I expect the coach to force the players to get along, if I implied that, my bad.

I expect the coach, with help from the “team leaders” to resolve the problem of players slacking off. Benching would be one option, but I suspect most successful coaches – including, interestingly enough, TMac’s mentor Babcock – have less drastic motivational measures that work for them.

homer

If you made a guaranteed $7M/year and could spend two MORE months on the golf course and with your family by giving LESS effort…. how hard would you play?

slappy

Uncle Jefe@385 and Alex@382

Good observations!

Oscarthedog

No Clemenza, each team does not say Cup Finals or bust, a lot of the bottom teams have incremental goals such as getting to .500 or maybe making the playoffs. Realistic goals, not the grandiose ones the Sharks claim before every season. Columbus just wants to make the playoffs and would be happy. Same with Minnesota.

No other non-Cup winning team has said it as much as the Sharks. And yet they’ve never made the finals so it is a little tiring to hear. They’ve set the bar so high and not come close that they have turned people off with their poor effort this year.

Funny that you crap on DWilly for his grass roots movement, obviously you were too young or didn’t pay much attention to the Blame Joe Thomas movement that took place out here when he ran the 49ers into the ground by trading numerous first round draft picks for Jim Plunkett and a washed OJ Simpson. This was a grass roots effort that had people wearing Blame Joe Thomas shirts and waving pennants that had an axe dripping with blood at the last game a regular season ending 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay. Eddie D fired Thomas and hired some college coach named Bill Walsh and the rest they say is history. Not saying that would be the same type of results here but the fans made their voices heard. Learn from history.

Red Line

Slappy @468

You probably watch the postgame show more that I do but i certainly recall in the pregame show at game right before the deadline, Hedican said they needed to do someting big or they weren’t going to make the playoffs. Perhaps not his exact words, but certainly his sentiment.

I don’t think he supported Ratto per se, no more than he supported Remenda. He clearly had a similar view point than Ratto. You suggest that he posited his remarks because he found Remenda’s approach disagreeable. Perhaps you are right, but from where I sit, I don’t think Ratto exactly came off particularly good either. I thought Hedican rather showed Ratto up in that respect, being critical without being snarky, but I prefer a more analyitcal approach. I get that is Ratto’s angle, to be snarky and create buzz, but he seemed rather excited during his 1st part of the exchange. I thought Ratto seemed significantly less excited when he responded to Remenda and had a better arguement as a result. Remenda did not have an opportunity to retort. That might have been interesting or not.

All that said, I typically like Remenda’s homerish take and I typically don’t like Ratto’s take (on any Bay Area sports team – not just the sharks) so i am sure that influnces my point of view.

slappy

Red Line@474 previous thread
Yes, Ratto can be a journalistic curmudgeon, no argument there. But strangely enough what I noticed last night – because the camera was squarely up close on his face – was that before Ratto spoke, he hesitated a bit and seemed to change what he was going to initially say – in other words, it appeared to me that Ratto softened his gut instinct to slam the team hard and maybe even the coaches so he chose his words very carefully so as to be less harsh. Imo if he had followed thru on his initial gut instinct Ratto could have been, would have been FAR MORE DIRECTLY CRITICAL. Instead he hesitated and backed off – that’s why he simply said “look the bottom line is they’ve got to start winning.” Ironically even with his softened statements, Drew flew off the handle because I think Drew was reacting to what he suspected Ratto was really thinking. The one slip that gave Ratto’s true thoughts away was when he said something about the Sharks trying hard and “not mailing it in” except for a few games. Or something to that effect.

NoCupWithDW

Slappy,

I guess I am not up on the lingo, what is a FO? Hope the question doe snot ruin my Cred 🙂

NoCupWithDW

@homer,

If I was a player and the pinacle of my trade is the obtainment of the Stanley cup, and the glory of obtaining that goal is forever, I would play my butt off, and do whatever I could to ensure my teammates did the same.

Yoou are obviously talking about PM. I just do not understand why everyone here expects him to be different then his personality. If you are a quiet person, who refrains from controversy or confrontation, would you engage in confrontation? No, so why do you expect PM to change his spots.
To me, PM is a quiet individual who goes about his business, who wants to win a cup for personal reasons. Not for the fans, not for the organization, not for the money. for himself and the pride of winning a cup. Sorry if the above hurts people’s feelings that he should be playing for the organization or the fans or SJ, truth be told, no one goes through the pain and hardship of four 7 game series for the money or the Fans.

quote from a movie:
pain heals, chicks dig scars and glory is forever.

slappy

NoCup@475 previous thread
FO=Front Office

Not Again

I never listened to Ratto’s comments or Drew’s reply. Honestly could care less other than the fact that if Ratto finally had the guts to say what his eyes were observing rather than what many of the bleeding hearts around here are praying for then I say good for Ray.

What the Ratto basher’s don’t get is he may be overweight and never played a day of hockey in his life but the “eye’s” don’t lie. If all you bleeding hearts want to hide behind the, “well he is no hockey expert” misguided opinions about this teams then I suggest you take a good long look at where the purported hockey experts do hangout In Montreal and Toronto and give us a state of address on how those teams are doing.

Uncle Jefe

Clemenza says “their constant bitching does nothing to help the team.”
Yeah, well make sure you remind us all about how your positive vibes helped them win the Cup this year.